Understanding the Fundamental Mechanism of Solute Diffusion in Block Copolymer Organogels

摘要: In recent years, organogels composed of a styrenic triblock copolymer and aliphatic mineral oil have been considered as potential candidates for transdermal drug delivery materials wherein they could serve as a pharmaceutical reservoir and pressure-sensitive adhesive. Work in this area so far has been a quest to match the performance of commercially-available products by varying gel formulation. This trial-and-error approach is inefficient and a bottom-up methodology based upon fundamental science would be superior. Our goal is to understand the underlying mechanism of solute diffusion in styrenic triblock copolymer organogels to address this deficiency. To do so, we have measured solute diffusivity values in gels across a number of factors including copolymer concentration, copolymer molecular weight, and solute size. Following a brief overview on how diffusivity values were determined, this presentation …